# Ngpestelos Skills Skill Stack Deduplication

> Skill Stack Deduplication

- Skill: `tomevault-io/ngpestelos-skills-skill-stack-deduplication` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/ngpestelos-skills-skill-stack-deduplication`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/ngpestelos-skills-skill-stack-deduplication/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/ngpestelos-skills-skill-stack-deduplication

---


# Skill Stack Deduplication

Every concept has exactly one canonical location. Files reference that location instead of copying content.

## Reference Hierarchy

```
CLAUDE.md (permanent directives, verification standards)
    |
foundation-skill/SKILL.md (canonical methodology)
    |
extension-skill/SKILL.md (unique execution steps, output templates)
    |
agents/agent-name.md (persona, behavior, skill delegation)
    |
commands/command-name.md (invocation guide: usage, when to use)
```

Each layer only contains content unique to its responsibility. Reference up, don't copy.

## Layer Responsibilities

| Layer | Contains | Does NOT Contain |
|---|---|---|
| CLAUDE.md | Permanent directives, verification standards | Skill-specific methodology |
| Foundation Skill | Canonical methodology | Agent behavior, invocation details |
| Extension Skill | Unique execution steps, output templates | Foundation methodology, agent persona |
| Agent | Persona, behavior rules, context sensitivity | Methodology details, output templates |
| Command | Usage, "what it does", "when to use" | Full methodology, benefits lists |

## Forbidden Patterns

**Copy-pasting methodology across files** — if the same process steps appear in both an agent and a skill, the agent must reference the skill instead.

**Redefining CLAUDE.md directives** — permanent rules (Reality Filter labels, verification standards) belong only in CLAUDE.md. Other files use a one-line reference:

```markdown
# WRONG: Re-listing verification labels in agent file
**Verification Labeling System**:
- [Verified] - Direct content from the analyzed document
- [Inference] - Derived from observable patterns...

# RIGHT: One-line reference
Follow CLAUDE.md "AI Response Accuracy & Verification Standards" for verification labeling.
```

## Quick Decision Tree

- **Methodology/process steps** -> Skill file (canonical source)
- **Persona/behavior/context rules** -> Agent file
- **Invocation syntax/when-to-use** -> Command file
- **Permanent rules/verification standards** -> CLAUDE.md
- **Already defined elsewhere** -> Reference it, don't copy it

## Deduplication Audit Process

1. **Count lines** across all files in the stack: `wc -l agent.md skill/SKILL.md command.md`
2. **Identify overlap** by grepping for repeated phrases across files
3. **Assign responsibility** per the layer table above
4. **Rewrite each file** keeping only its unique content + references
5. **Verify cross-references** resolve to existing files
6. **Confirm no methodology lost** — only deduplicated

---
> Source: [ngpestelos/skills](https://github.com/ngpestelos/skills) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-05-23 -->